Following are the most common evening and party dress styles and silhouettes:
-Sheath:designed to fit the body tightly. It is usually unbelted, and has a straight drape. It can have shoulder straps or be strapless.
-Mermaid: as the name suggests, it means that the evening gown is shaped like a mermaid. It is form-fitting at the bodice, and the skirt is designed to resemble a mermaid's tail in silhouette. The skirt may or may not be of the same colour or texture of the rest of the dress.
-A-line: One of the most common dress silhouettes. The A-line style evening gown resembles a letter A, somewhat bell-shaped, it is close-fitting at the top and widens gradually at the bottom, without gathers or pleats. This is a simple but elegant appearance for a gown.
-Trumpet: It is very similar to mermaid style. If the evening gown is trumpet shaped, it is tight-fitting until it reaches the knees, where it flares.
-Empire: This dress silhouette involves the waistline coming up to just below the bust, from which the skirt hangs straight and loose, in a simple breezy style.
-Dropped waist: The waistline is dropped below the actual waistline. The skirt can be fitted or flared.
-Princess: This is another of the most common styles. Very cute. The princess style evening gown is also tight, cut in single pieces, such as gores, and hanging in an unbroken line from shoulder to flared hem.
